Novel synthesis of 1-aroyl-3-aryl-4-substituted imidazole-2-thiones.

[reaction: see text] An efficient route to 1-aroyl-3-aryl-4-substituted imidazole-2-thiones (2, 4-6) has been developed. The methodology involves the cyclization of 1-aroyl-3-arylthioureas with a variety of carbonyl compounds bearing alpha-H in the presence of bromine and triethylamine.